Jay Kline

9.3

Clos Payrol was once a small side project of Philippe Baillarguet from Chateau Ausone made from a tiny vineyard located on the plateau next to the church. Next to nothing is made, maybe 100 cases a year which makes it even smaller than Le Pin. The 2010 pours a deep ruby/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of ripe black plums, purple flowers, tobacco, leather, mushrooms, and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose with the added note of Flintstones vitamins on the medium+ finish. A lovely Pomerol that’s drinking very well at this stage and should continue to gain secondary character, drinking well through 2035. It should be noted, Vinobles K took over Clos Payrol in 2015 and it’s now known Enclos Payrol. Production remains also small that they don’t even bother marketing it. — 2 months ago

George Chen

8.9

Open with herbal notes Like Ausone big faded sadly! — 3 years ago

Jeff Loo

9.7

Pure Magic. If you thought the 2015 and 2016 were something, this is going to blow you away. On the same level as Ausone and Cheval this vintage. 96-98pts — 6 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I've been curious about this wine for some time. The original 05 Ausone review from Parker was revised and one would think it was at the request of the Chateau. Parker's 💯 point review started something like this...if you are over the age of 55, you'll want to decide if you want to buy this this wine. Largely, due to his call on it's years of drinkability; which was from 2055-80. Parker's review was mysteriously revised within two months of it's original review. Tonight, I Coravin-ed this tasting of the Chapelle D'Ausone. The 05 Chapelle D'Ausone is still very big & tight but starting it's journey into a decent drinking phase. The tannins are still chewy and dark. The fruits are; ruby blackberries, dark cherries, a mix of blue fruits, strawberries paint the back palate, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, Christmas cake, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, spice-box, black tea, a whiff of green bell peppers, irony minerals, loamy soils, tree bark, a touch of leather, lead pencil shavings, dry stems, dry stones & dark moist soil. The acidity is perfect. The structure, length, balance and tension flirt with glory. The finish runs ripe to dry fruit and the minerals are rich with a dark elegance that lasts and lasts. As good as this wine is tonight, I'll put this bottle back; which is 1 of a 6 pack and wait another 7-10 years to reopen it. Both of Ausone's 05 wines are meant for most collectors end of life or meant to be left for their children. — 8 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.0

The 2004 Ausone has a mature bouquet with brambly red fruit, marmalade, leather and touches of cooked meat. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, a little dry and more savory than expected. I feel there is something a little passé about this Ausone, indicative of the time when wines were being pushed a little hard and frankly, I much prefer more recent vintages (including the 2023 tasted alongside). (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
— 5 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

2015 vintage. Owned by the Vauthier family (Ausone, Moulin Saint Georges and La Clotte). A blend of 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and interestingly 5% Carnenere and 5% Petit Verdot. Seriously reduced, I wildly double-decanted the wine, and struggled with the nose for over an hour before it finally started to shine. My patience was rewarded as the beast miraculously turned into some kind of a beauty. Ripe red fruit, violets and a mineral touch. — 3 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2014 vintage. This historical estate with great terroir surrounded by famous neighbours like Angélus, Ausone, Pavie etc. is going from strength to strength after it was bought by Denise and Stephen Adams (also owners of Château L'Enclos in Pomerol and ADAMVS in Napa Valley). 2014 vintage. 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Biodynamically farmed (since 2009, certification in 2020). Intriguing attractive nose with an amazing minerality, intertwined with cassis and a hint of truffle. In the mouth it is initially a bit severe, if classy. I would recommend decanting or taste it over several hours. After a few hours the fruit shines through compensating the tight tannic structure and the acidity. Built to age, I feel this will deserve a higher score in 5 or 6 years. It's a very classic restrained wine that definitely has an understated class. Nice value at under 50 euros if you like this style. — 4 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.8

2019 vintage. Calicem might well be Saint-Emilion's best kept secret. Tasted it several times and was always blown away. This time I tasted it alongside the extraordinary Larcis Ducasse 2019, which proves my point that Calicem is definitely of Premier Grand Cru quality ( in case the classification is still a thing after Cheval Blanc, Ausone and a few others left). — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Aromas of antique chest of drawers, tobacco and mocha. A lovely balanced fluid silky texture - so balanced that nothing stands out - it has all come together as it should. A wonderful right bank claret from a good year. M+ intensity, M minus acid, fine tannins - a class act. A neighbour of the more famous Chateau Ausone. The percentages may vary according to the vintage but roughly it is 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. — 2 years ago

Robert Rothfield

9.3

A monster unicorn wine that's hard to find even in France.....it's literally 200 meters down the street from Ausone....wish I bought more — 7 years ago